Friday First - Lord, Make Us One

John 17 is considered by many to be the greatest chapter in the Bible. Inherent in it all is the amazing, transcendent love of Christ. As we read the prayer, we need to see Jesus’ desire for our spiritual communion with God and one another. As the moments pass by, the cross looms, and ultimately His glorification through the resurrection.

John 17 contains a prayer for Jesus Himself, pertaining to the salvation He is about to accomplish through His death, 17.1-5. It contains a prayer for the remaining 11 disciples, who are about to be scattered and later begin spreading the gospel, 17.6-19. And finally it contains a prayer for us … believers of all time, who will hear and respond to the gospel and then spread it themselves, 17.20-26.

Last week we examined Matthew 9.35-38 and discussed how the harvest is abundant. Will we look at the world as Jesus does and see sheep without a shepherd and respond with the greatest amount of compassion and care? People without Christ have no hope of eternal life.
Now, this week we’ll look from the eyes of Jesus as we consider Christ’s body of of believers and God’s gift of unity. As we read John 17.20-21, for what and what exactly is Jesus praying?

On Sunday we will:

• Discuss what Jesus is NOT praying for.
• See His prayer request in light of the greater context of the chapter.
• Learn about His great confidence in the Father and His plan.

As you prepare for worship on Sunday, please give consideration to these questions:

• How can stressing unity in uniformity be destructive to the local church?
• Why does Jesus want us to be one? (17.21)
• In what is one thing we are to be one? (17.26)
• What fuels us with power to be one? (17.22)
• What qualities maintain unity? (Ephesians 4.2)

OPENING / WELCOME
Cain Atkinson

SONG LEADER
Jim Grushon

PRAYER OF PRAISE
Randy Mullins

LORD'S SUPPER
Rich Jacobs

SCRIPTURE READING
Justin Spargo
John 17.20-26

PREACHING
Matthew Allen

CLOSING COMMENTS & PRAYER
Rich Walker

WELCOME CENTER
Pat Reeder / Bob Hoopes

USHERS (arrive @ 9)
Chris Fles / Jeremy Price

Closing the Building
John Key